Europe - Purchase advice needed

Hello,

i have not biked seriously in almost almost 10 years and recently decided to take it up again. Normally, i would know where to go if i were in my hometown, but i have been living in Paris for 5 years now and don't know much about the new bikes or about bike shops in France.

I am moving to the Cote d'Azur for a new job in a week and have decided that I will commute to work by bike. The ride is about 15 km uphill on smooth pavement and gravel side roads. Downhill on the way back - obviously. Weekends, I intend to explore the coast by bike by going on half-day and full-day trips.

I have a tall and hefty build of 265 lbs (120 kilos), so I would need the bike to be able to withstand the abuse.

As a general idea, I know that I would want slicks, slightly leaning seating position, shox not too necessary... I have looked around by internet and 2 series seem appropriate:
1. Cannondale Bad Boy
2. Specialized Crosstrail

Any suggestions? Other bikes perhaps? I have not tried out the above 2 bikes. Can someone provide me their input please? Do you know if it is possible to try them somewhere in Paris or southern France? Perhaps in Montreal otherwise?

I'm also very well aware that I'd be paying a massive premium for US bikes in France. Would it be worth picking up the bike in Montreal on my next visit there? Would you know of US bike shops that ship to France?

I appreciate all the advice I can get.... I am really looking forward to hitting the road with my new bike!!

Cheers!
Canada Joe

My advice would be to wait until you get there. I'm sure that you will be able to find a bike that will meet all your criteria there (or not too far away) and won't have to go through the hassle of buying and shipping a bike to France. You may even find something better there that is used.

So where'd your SoCal thread go? And where on the Cote de Azur / French Riviera are you moving to? I've been to that part of the world twice and it is wonderful. I spent time in both Spanish and French Catalonia, as far west as Sitges, Spain and as far east as St. Tropez, France. Sanary sur Mer was especially nice as wass the area around Perpignan where Cyclezealot currently lives.

I saw lots of classic and vintage utility / commuting bikes when I was there, but the French are generally smaller in stature and you might find it hard to find something larger...but you didn't say how tall you are...If you're less that 6' tall, I'd try to find an older bike that fits you, vintage steel is usually pretty resiliant...

Joe, those two bikes seem reasonably appropriate to your needs. I see that Cannondale has a European office according to their website.

Cannondale Europe
Cannondale Europe B.V.
Gewerbestrasse 25
CH-4123 Allschwil
Switzerland
PH# + 41 61 487 93 80
email servicedeskeurope@cannondale.com


Specialized also has addresses for dealers in France: (hope this works. If not log into their website, specify your location as France and select "find dealer" from far upper right corner.

http://specialized.com/bc/SBCDealerLoc.jsp?transaction=search&template=map_search&proxIcons=1&proxIconId=504&srchIconId=31747001&tWidth=133&tHeight=80&radius=1000&pageResults=20&maxSearchResults=20&searchQuantifier=AND&minisite=&search1=&search2=&search3=&search4=&search5=&search6=&search7=&search8=&search9=&search10=&search11=&search12=&search13=&search14=0&search15=1&search16=0&search17=0&search18=0&search19=&search20=&jfn=ZG43C8D7050A74A03683E4DA776625F58487FB1565A5D83080D3587FAB133C8C6C6CFE4D841D89AA967D8A66A72D6BC1 D87D&address=&city=&county=&stateProvince=&postalCode=0&country=FR&dealer_category=0&x=43&y=3

Specialized Dealers Near:
Marseille Provence-Alpes-Côte D'azur FR

4.66 miles
Map...
Directions...
Cycles Beck
42 Route de la Valentine
Marseille, 13011 FR
04-91352791
MTB
Road
Equipment
Optics
Test Center
SBCU member
S-Works
Designs for Women


17.77 miles
Map...
Directions...
SCORSONE
C. C. DE L'ANGESSE ROUTE NATIONALE 7 PALETTE
AIX EN PROVENCE, 13100 FR
0442215942
scorsone.bike@wanadoo.fr
0442630503
MTB
Road
Equipment
Optics
SBCU member
S-Works
Designs for Women


24.35 miles
Map...
Directions...
A.C.N.
71 Av. Georges Pompidou
Fos sur Mer, 13270 FR
04-42051500
MTB
Road
Equipment
Optics
Test Center
SBCU member
S-Works
Designs for Women


28.87 miles
Map...
Directions...
Okibike
Quartier camp Laurent
La Seyne sur Mer, 83500 FR
494634637
MTB
Road
Equipment
Optics
Test Center
SBCU member
S-Works
Designs for Women


42.83 miles
Map...
Directions...
Majacan (location)
1 rue de la Ferme / ile de Porquerolles
Hyeres, 83400 FR
494583032
MTB
Test Center


52.14 miles
Map...
Directions...
Espace Jacovetti
109 Avennue Pierre Semard
Avignon, 84000 FR
490885348
MTB
Road
Equipment
Optics
SBCU member


63.02 miles
Map...
Directions...
Veloland Nimes
4 rue de la Republique
Nimes, 30000 FR
04-66360180
MTB
Road
Equipment
Optics
Test Center
SBCU member
S-Works
Designs for Women


63.64 miles
Map...
Directions...
MTS 84
159 Av. de Verdun
Orange, 84100 FR
490349492
MTB
Road
Equipment
Optics
S-Works
Designs for Women


63.80 miles
Map...
Directions...
Cycles Baro
5 place du Commerce
Chateau Arnoux, 04160 FR
04-92642661
MTB
Road
Equipment


64.45 miles
Map...
Directions...
Riviera bike
rn7 rond pnt des chemin
Roquebrune sur argens, 83520 FR
494190915
MTB
Road
Equipment
Optics
Test Center
SBCU member
S-Works
Designs for Women


76.75 miles
Map...
Directions...
Bike 34
1850 Av. de l'europe RN 113
Castelnau le Lez, 34170 FR
04-67728589
MTB
Road
Equipment
Optics
Test Center
SBCU member
S-Works
Designs for Women


80.75 miles
Map...
Directions...
NTC
2 promenade des prés vergers
Pegomas, 06580 FR
04-93407528
MTB
Road
Equipment
Optics
Test Center
SBCU member
S-Works
Designs for Women


84.43 miles
Map...
Directions...
Sport Distribution
4 quai de la Rep. Samary
Sete, 34200 FR
04-67748230
MTB
Road
Equipment
Optics
Test Center
SBCU member
S-Works
Designs for Women


85.26 miles
Map...
Directions...
Cevennes Sports
Quai du Mas D'Hours
Ales, 30100 FR
04-66543535
MTB
Road
Equipment
Optics
Test Center
SBCU member
S-Works
Designs for Women


94.29 miles
Map...
Directions...
Cycles Fabre
3 rue Villars
Gap, 05000 FR
04-92515137
MTB
Road
Equipment
Optics
Test Center
SBCU member
S-Works
Designs for Women


95.75 miles
Map...
Directions...
Neway Nice
23 bis Av. Auguste Verola
Nice, 06200 FR
04-92291 003
MTB
Road
Equipment
Optics
Test Center
SBCU member
S-Works
Designs for Women


99.01 miles
Map...
Directions...
La Roue Libre
30 rue Baria
Nice, 06300 FR
04-93897452
MTB
Road
Equipment


99.42 miles
Map...
Directions...
Cycles Moulin
Quartier Rozette
Villeneuve de Berg, 07170 FR
04-75948755
MTB
Road
Equipment
Optics
Designs for Women


100.59 miles
Map...
Directions...
Sportmarche / twinner
Parking Intermarche
Aouste sur Sye, 26400 FR
04-75767105
MTB
Road
Equipment
Optics
Designs for Women


115.44 miles
Map...
Directions...
Veloland Valence
Place J D Cassini
Valence, 26000 FR
04-75821006
MTB
Road
Equipment
Optics
Test Center
SBCU member
S-Works
Designs for Women

Here's the Cannondale dealer finder page
select item 1.
http://fr.cannondale.com/bikes/cstores/index.html

Hello,

i have not biked seriously in almost almost 10 years and recently decided to take it up again. Normally, i would know where to go if i were in my hometown, but i have been living in Paris for 5 years now and don't know much about the new bikes or about bike shops in France.

I am moving to the Cote d'Azur for a new job in a week and have decided that I will commute to work by bike. The ride is about 15 km uphill on smooth pavement and gravel side roads. Downhill on the way back - obviously. Weekends, I intend to explore the coast by bike by going on half-day and full-day trips.

I have a tall and hefty build of 265 lbs (120 kilos), so I would need the bike to be able to withstand the abuse.

As a general idea, I know that I would want slicks, slightly leaning seating position, shox not too necessary... I have looked around by internet and 2 series seem appropriate:
1. Cannondale Bad Boy
2. Specialized Crosstrail

Any suggestions? Other bikes perhaps? I have not tried out the above 2 bikes. Can someone provide me their input please? Do you know if it is possible to try them somewhere in Paris or southern France? Perhaps in Montreal otherwise?

I'm also very well aware that I'd be paying a massive premium for US bikes in France. Would it be worth picking up the bike in Montreal on my next visit there? Would you know of US bike shops that ship to France?

I appreciate all the advice I can get.... I am really looking forward to hitting the road with my new bike!!

Cheers!
Canada Joe
late to the thread i know, but if you haven't yet bought something check out the Specialized Sirrus series as well.